Sassuolo vs Empoli prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2023-04-29 13:00.
A 3-0 defeat against Salernitana in their last Serie A (SA) outing not only made Sassuolo fans forget the dazzling victory over Juventus in the week prior, but it also saw them trip up in their push for a top-half finish. Finishing in the top-ten would certainly be a really impressive achievement and also highlight a remarkable turnaround considering at one point this season the Neroverdi were hovering dangerously close to the bottom-three spots.
One of the reasons for their revival is their home form, as Sassuolo have won four of their six matches here since the start of February (D1, L1), with the only loss in that period coming against league-leaders Napoli. The arrival of 15th-placed Empoli shouldnât worry the Sassuolo faithful as theyâve seen their side win five of their six SA home matches against teams starting this round below them.
A pair of defeats âto nilâ, which form part of six losses across their last eight matches, combined with the improved form of some basement dwellers, certainly hasnât helped Empoliâs battle to stay in the league with their cushion to safety cut to only six points ahead of the round. However precarious their position looks, coach Paolo Zanetti still believes the Tuscany-based side will achieve their goal, stating Empoli âshould only fear themselvesâ.
Zanetti is all-too aware of the importance of this match as he alluded to after their 3-0 defeat to top-four hopefuls Inter last time out, stating that games against those sort of sides âarenât matches to make pointsâ. Returning to the road may only amplify their problems, though, as Empoli have won just twice when travelling this term (D7, L7) and scoring goals isnât particularly their thing either, considering theyâve netted more than once in only two away league matches â interestingly failing to win both (D2).
Players to watch: Sassuoloâs Andrea Pinamonti has scored three of his last four SA goals at home and will be looking to add to that tally against his former club. Rumoured to be wanted by Milan and Napoli, Tommaso Baldanzi remains Empoliâs top SA scorer with his side remaining unbeaten in each of his four goalscoring outings this term, including the reverse fixture (1-0).
Hot stat: Six of the last eight H2Hs have seen at least two goals scored before the break.